The national chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples continues to say she has the support of the group’s grassroots members despite dissension in the ranks.
Yesterday, Saskatchewan delegate Kim Beaudin released information about a recent CAP board meeting where a motion to remove National Chief Betty Ann Lavallee had failed. Beaudin says seven of the 11 board members voted in favour of the motion, proving their lack of confidence in the leadership. He says the motion failed because three quarters of a board vote are required to remove a national chief.
Lavallee says this is the fourth time Beaudin has put forward a failed motion to have her removed.
“I have been national chief for six years and I am satisfied with what I have been able to accomplish,” said Lavallee. “When people take shots at me I can take it because I have a thick hide, so it doesn’t really worry me too much.”
Lavallee says it is her policy not to comment on board deliberations.
“You can only have free discussions internally if you feel you are in a safe place and those things won’t be taken out of the boardroom,” said Lavallee in response to Beaudin choosing to release information about their last board meeting. “It is sad when board members go to the media to criticize decisions they don’t like because it damages the organization as a whole.”
Lavallee was first elected CAP’s national chief in 2009. She was re-elected in 2012.
An annual general assembly for the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is expected in September.